LITTLE SIMZ and Dave have joined the cast of Top Boy for the critically-acclaimed show’s third season.
Drake premiered the cast announcement clip at his concert at London’s O2 Arena last night.
The Canadian rapper, who was a big fan of the series before he became involved with it, bought the rights to Top Boy after its future became uncertain when it was dropped by Channel 4. He has executive-produced the latest series.
Little Simz, whose real name is Simbi Ajikawo, has said she is “proud to be a part of this”. The 25-year-old rapper appears in and narrates the trailer, which was written by Tolani Shoneye, one third of The Receipts Podcast.
She told the BBC: "Being a fan of Top Boy for years and also being a woman, I want it to be like Top Boy is not just a gendered thing. It's a thing of, you can be a part of that world, be a 'top boy' yourself, but not necessarily do what they're doing.”
Fan favourites Ashley Walters and Kane Robinson aka Kano return for the third season, as do Bashy and Shone Romulus.
The 10-episode season of the gripping British drama pick up Dushane, played by Walters, and Sully, played by Robinson, come back to the Summerhouse estate from exile and prison respectively.
Cindy Holland, vice president, original content for Netflix, said: “We couldn’t be more excited for Netflix members around the world and a new generation of fans to discover the authentic, raw and real world of Top Boy.”
Walters said: "Top Boy is a raw, real representation of street culture. It explores how these characters came to make the choices they make, and gives the audience a behind-the-scenes look as to what is happening on our streets today. It needs to be talked about and the show doesn't shy away from giving us the platform to tell our story. We can't change things if we do not acknowledge it and understand it first. Netflix is the perfect platform for this show, there aren't many networks who would be brave enough to keep it this real.”
Those who have been patiently waiting for new episodes of Top Boy have expressed their excitement at finally getting a taste of what to expect.
But while the reveal has been met with many positive reactions, some have also shared reservations about its return.
“Top Boy no longer interests me. I’m tired of seeing that s***. How about some black British romance. Not every day drugs and violence,” one Twitter user said.
Another wrote: “I don’t know how I feel about Top Boy coming back. Only because it doesn’t seem like the theme of black British dramas has changed since it first aired years ago.”
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